Can puncturing device having vertical downwardly extending operator handle and horizontal punch member



Aug. 31, 1965 J w. vo| 3,203,089

\ CAN PUNCTURING DEVICE HAVING VERTICAL DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING OPERATOR HANDLE AND HORIZONTAL PUNCH MEMBER Filed Aug. 16, 1963 FIG. I.

INVENTOR 0 V W G s s 8 J FIG. 6.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,203,089 CAN PUNCTURING DEVICE HAVING VERTICAL DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING OPERATUR HAN- DLE AND HGRIZONTAL PUNCH MEMBER Jesse W. Vol], Live Oak, Calif. (351 E. 7th, San Jacinto, Calif.) Filed Aug. 16, 1963, Ser. No. 302,641 6 Claims. (Cl. 30-10) This invention relates to a can puncturing device and has as its primary object the provision of a hand manipulatable can puncturing device which may be utilized to puncture openings in cans of liquids, such as fruit juices, beverages, beer, or the like.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which may be effectively employed to punch an opening in a can with a minimum of time and difficulty.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character provided with spring means for returning a pivoted punch to inoperative position, and wherein the puncturing is efiected by a simple compression of the vertically extending handle positioned within an opening in a frame.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which may be readily adapted to accommodate a variety of sizes of cans without adjustment.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character having means whereby the relative position of the punch may be varied so as to extend the opening toward or away from the center of the can as desired.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which may be readily disassembled for cleaning or adjustment, or the like, and reassembled with a minimum of effort.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of punch embodying features of the instant inventive concept, certain concealed portions thereof being indicated in dotted line;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIGURE 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing a modified and simplified form of construction;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of FIGURE 4, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of FIGURE 4, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail, there is generally indicated at 10 one form of can punch or can opener constructed in accordance with the instant invention. The punch comprises a pair of substantially identical, generally rectangular, side plates 11 which are spaced apart as by means of upper and lower spacer members 12 and 13, respectively, to which the plates are secured as by rivets 14. Relatively large central openings 15 are cut in each plate, with the openings being in alignment.

The upper portion of one edge of each plate is cut 3,203,089 Patented Aug. 31, 1965 ice.

away as at 16 to provide a shoulder against which the upper edge of a can C is adapted to be engaged, the one edge being cut away as at an angle at 17 to form a series of notches 18, 19 and 20, in which the head at the lower end of the can may be selectively engaged in accordance with the size of the can.

Aligned elongated slots 21 are formed in the upper portion of each plate 11 above the opening 15 and provided with a plurality of depending notches 22, the notches being adapted for the selective reception of a pivot bolt 23 provided with a wing nut 24, the pivot extending through the intersection of a normally horizontal leg 25 and a normally'vertical leg 26 of an L-shaped punch member generally indicated at 27. Th arm 25 extends outwardly between the plates 11 at a point above the notch 16 and terminates in a pointed punch element 28, while the leg 26 extends downwardly into the opening 15. The arrangement is thus such that the leg 26 may be grasped by the fingers while the hand encircles the edge of the frameopposite the portion which retains the can, and by movement in the direction of the arrow in FIGURE 1, punch element 28 is depressed to puncture the can.

A lug 30 is mounted on the top of arm 25 and has connected thereto one end of a coil spring 31, the other end of which is secured to a pin 32 extending transversely between the plates at a point between the pivot bolt and the edge of the frame opposite that which contains the can retaining elements, the function of the spring being normally to bias the punch element 28 upwardly out of contact with the top of the can until ready for use. The arrangements of the slots 21 and notches 22 permit the eifective variation of the position of the pivot 23, and consequently the punch 28, so that the opening elfected thereby may be positioned toward or away from the edge of the can, as desired.

Lower spacer element 13 includes an upwardly, inclined member 35 provided with a shoulder 36 which forms a stop limiting the forward movement of handle or vertical leg 26.

From the foregoing, the use and operation of the device now may be readily understandable. A can C is positioned with its upper edge beneath the shoulder 16 and the bead on its lower edge extending into the appropriate notch 18, 19, and 20. The handle or vertical member 26 is then compressed toward the rear edge of the frame, and the punch element punches the top of the can. Upon release of the handle 26, spring 31 biases the parts to inoperative position. By removal of wing nut 24, the position of pivot pin 23 may be readily adjusted to vary the relative position of punch element 28, and similarly by removal of pin 23 the punch member 27 may be removed to facilitate cleaning and sterilizing the apparatus.

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 disclose a modified and simplified form of the invention which is adapted particularly for use with cans C of a specific size. The device of this form of the invention is generally indicated at 40 and comprises a pair of side plates 41, the plates being substantially identical and provided with aligned central openings 42. The plates may comprise integral portions of a base enclosure member 43, or may be secured thereto as in the previous modification. One edge of the plates in this form of the invention is cut away at its top to form a shoulder 44 on one edge, and similarly cut away at the lower portion to form a notch 45. The top of the can C of predetermined size is thus fitted under the shoulder 44 with its lower bead seating in the notch 45. A punch member generally indicated at 47 includes a horizontally extending arm or leg 48 terminating in a pointed punch element 49 and is pivotally mounted on a cotter pin 50 in a position above the opening 42 so that the vertical leg 51 extends into the opening as in the previously described modification. A spring 52 is connected between an opening 53 in the top of arm 48 and a pin 54 extending transversely between the top portions of plates 41 adjacent the edge thereof opposite the can holding means. As shown in FIGURE 5, pin 54 extends through side plates 41 and may have provided on the exposed ends thereof any conventional retaining means, e.g. an enlarged portion such as a rivet or peened head. The use and operation of this form of device are identical to that disclosed in the previous modification, this form of the invention being characterized by extreme simplicity and inexpensiveness, and by its specific ability to handle one size of can only.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved can puncturing device which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A can puncturing device comprised of a substantially rectangular frame including a pair of side plates, spacers mounting said side plates in parallel spaced rela tion, one side of said frame being inwardly cut adjacent its top to provide a shoulder adapted to engage the top of the can, the lower end of said one side being cut away to form at least one notch adapted for the reception of the flange on the bottom of the can, said side plates having a relatively large central transverse opening therethrough rearwardly of said shoulder and notch, a pivot pin extending transversely through said plates adjacent the top thereof above said central transverse opening, a generally L-shaped punch member pivoted on said pin, said punch member including a normally horizontal arm extending between said plates and terminating outwardly of said one side above said shoulder, a punch element on the outer end of said first arm and a second normally vertical operating arm extending downwardly into said opening, whereby compression of said second arm toward the side of the frame opposite said one side will pivot said punch element downwardly to puncture the top of a can, and spring means biasing said first arm and said punch element upwardly to punch retracted position.

2. A can puncturing device comprised of a substantially rectangular frame including a pair of side plates, spacers mounting said side plates in parallel spaced rela tion, one side of said frame being inwardly cut adjacent its top to provide a shoulder adapted to engage the top of the can, the lower end of said one side being cut away to form at least one notch adapted for the reception of the flange on the bottom of the can, said side plates having a relatively large central opening therethrough, a pivot pin extending through said plates adjacent the top thereof above said central opening, a generally L- shaped punch member pivoted on said pin, said punch member including a normally horizontal arm extending 4 between said plates and terminating outwardly of said one side above said shoulder, a punch element on the outer end of said first arm and a second normally vertical arm extending downwardly into said opening, a stop member on said device for limiting the movement of said second arm, whereby compression of said second arm toward the side of the frame opposite said one side will pivot said punch element downwardly to puncture the top of a can, and spring means biasing said first arm and said punch element upwardly to punch retracted position.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said stop member comprises an angularly disposed bar having a shoulder thereon extending across the lower portion of said opening and being positioned between said plates.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said spring means comprises a tension spring connected between a lug on the top of said one arm and a pin extended between said plates positioned between said pivot pin and the edge of said frame opposite said one edge.

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein said plates are provided with aligned slots, each having a plurality of aligned notches therein positioned in a surface more nearly horizontal than vertical, and said pivot pin is selectively positioned in one of said aligned notches to vary the relative horizontal position of said punch element for varying the location of said punch element With respect to a can held by said shoulder and notch.

6. A can opener comprising a frame, said frame being formed to provide holding means for engaging the top of a can and for engaging the bottom of a can to hold a can in a substantially upright position, punch means mounted above said holding means and extending outwardly therefrom in can piercing relation to a can held thereby and adjustable means for varying the horizontal relationship between said punch means and said holding means, said adjustable means comprising a series of notches in said frame arranged in a plane more nearly horizontal than vertical, means in said face defining a slot arranged above and connecting said notches, said punch means comprising 'a substantially L-shaped frame having a substantially horizontal arm on the end of which is secured a single punch element and a vertical downwardly extending arm and having a transverse pivot pin adjacent the juncture of said horizontal and vertical arms, said pin being disposed in one of said notches.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 919,675 4/09 Armstrong 3010 X 970,170 9/10 Bishop 3010 X 1,551,413 8/25 Lutenberger 3010 X 2,624,108 1/53 Anderson 3010 X 2,663,077 12/53 Fortune et a1 30-10 X 2,698,992 1/55 Williamson et al 3010 X 2,698,993 1/55 Williamson et al. 306.3 3,054,178 9/62 Heiser et al. 30-10 X WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

MYRON C. KRUSE, Examiner. 

1. A CAN PUNCTURING DEVICE COMPRISED OF A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR FRAME INCLUDING A PAIR OF SIDE PLATES, SPACERS MOUNTING SAID SIDE PLATES IN PARALLEL SPACED RELATION, ONE SIDE OF SAID FRAME BEING INWARDLY CUT ADJACENT ITS TOP TO PROVIDE A SHOULDER ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE TOP OF THE CAN, THE LOWER END OF SAID ONE SIDE BEING CUT AWAY TO FORM AT LEAST ONE NOTCH ADAPTED FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE FLANGE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE CAN, SAID SIDE PLATES HAVING A RELATIVELY LARGE CENTRAL TRANSVERSE OPENING THERETHROUGH REARWARDLY OF SAID SHOULDER AND NOTCH, A PIVOT PIN EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THROUGH SAID PLATES ADJACENT THE TOP THEREOF ABOVE SAID CENTRAL TRANSVERSE OPENING, A GENERALLY L-SHAPED PUNCH MEMBER PIVOTED ON SAID PIN, SAID PUNCH MEMBER INCLUDING A NORMALLY HORIZONTAL ARM EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID PLATES AND TERMINATING OUTWARDLY OF SAID ONE SIDE ABOVE SAID SHOULDER, A PUNCH ELEMENT ON THE OUTER END OF SAID FIRST ARM AND A SECOND NORMALLY VERTICAL OPERATING ARM EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY INTO SAID OPENING, WHEREBY COMPRESSION OF SAID SECOND ARM TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE FRAME OPPOSITE SAID ONE SIDE WILL PIVOT SAID PUNCH ELEMENT DOWNWARDLY TO PUNCTURE THE TOP OF A CAN, AND SPRING MEANS BIASING SAID FIRST ARM AND SAID PUNCH ELEMENT UPWARDLY TO PUNCH RETRACTED POSITION. 